Friday Quickies #85: 3 Holidays, 1 Weekend

Flying pig truck at Abbot Kinney, found shortly after eating at Gjelina

Three holidays (Valentine's, Lunar New Year, Prez Day) rolled into one potentially long weekend (though I personally do not get the 15th off, pfffttt) - of course you know the food events are out in full force.

No big surprise, but the one that's gotten the most buzz and chatter is the L.A. Street Food Fest just outside downtown. Whether than worry about where all your favorite or wanting-to-try mobile food vendors are at, you can stop by here from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy them in a veritable pop-up food truck court. Admission is $5 (sorry, $30 VIP tickets already sold out!) and after that, you can sample most items for $5 or less. Oh yeah, did I also mention Ludo's Fried Chicken will make an appearance?

On Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Frysmith will collaborating with Verdugo Bar for a "One Night Stand" event with four courses paired with beer. Courses include duck legs braised a cognac sauce w collard greens and fries, seared scallop with spanish chorizo, lemon jam & apple "fries" and a trio of mousse cakes. $23 in advance or $28 at door (until the patio hits capacity!)

This sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., Culver City's Royal/T Cafe will have a "Love for Haiti" winetasting event for $28/person (with $20 of each ticket sale going to Doctors without Borders). On top of some tasty vino, you will also include light appetizers and gourmet cheeses from Nicole's Gourmet Foods and La Maison du Pain.

And as always, favorite reads:

Serious Eats' Food Lab column dissects the science of making a good chili

Diana Takes a Bite survived (noneofyourbusiness) years without ever tasting a cheeseburger, and needs help with her initiation

LA Times' great piece on micro distilleries around town (including some of my faves Modern Spirits and Ballast Point) and how they're weathering against big corporate brands and the current economy

CHOW's 10 stylistic considerations when photographing food; too bad I'm not that into visual details

And Gourmet Pigs' review of Langham's blowout $75/person Chinese New Year brunch buffet, in case you got the change to drop

As well as way more affordable, and vegetarian, options in the SGV from Tasting Table